Chopstick retaining device

ABSTRACT

A chopstick retaining device includes a casing and a resilient member disposed in the casing. Two sides of the resilient member relative to the casing form a first passage and a second passage to receive two chopsticks. Through the resilient member, one chopstick is pivoted to approach or to leave the other chopstick. The chopstick retaining device further includes a counterweight block to hold and suspend the chopsticks. The present invention can help the beginner to use the chopsticks with ease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a chopstick retaining device, and more particularly to an auxiliary device to use chopsticks.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In Chinese culture, chopsticks are an essential eating utensil. More and more foreign people like Chinese food. Foreign people are used to knives and forks. It is difficult for foreign people to learn using chopsticks in a short time. Besides, children and elders may have difficulty in using chopsticks. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device for insertion of two chopsticks, assisting the beginner in using the chopsticks with ease.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary device, which not only assists in holding the chopsticks but also assures the hygiene of the chopsticks which are suspended, not in contact with the table.

In order to achieve the aforesaid objects, there is provided a chopstick retaining device to assist in holding chopsticks. The device comprises a casing and a resilient member disposed in the casing. Two sides of the resilient member relative to the casing form a first passage and a second passage to receive two chopsticks. Through the resilient member, one chopstick is pivoted to approach or to leave the other chopstick.

Preferably, the casing is composed of a first casing and a second casing. The first casing comprises a plurality of locking members on a lower end surface thereof. The second casing comprises a plurality of engaging members corresponding to the locking members. The locking members are engaged with the engaging members to connect the first casing with the second casing.

Preferably, the inner side of the second casing is provided with at least one pillar. The resilient member has a through hole for connection of the pillar.

Preferably, the resilient member is in an X-like shape and comprises two symmetrical first extension portions which are disposed at one side thereof, a second extension portion and a third extension portion which are disposed at an opposing side thereof. The second extension portion has a length shorter than that of the third extension portion. The third extension portion is curved and has elasticity.

Preferably, the second housing has an inner side provided with a first connection portion and a second connection portion.

Preferably, the inside of the first casing and the second casing relative to the two sides of the resilient member forms two passages to receive two chopsticks.

Preferably, the inner side of the second casing has a slide slot in a Z-like shape, and the slide slot is provided with a slide block. By the movement of the slide block to change the width of one passage, the position of the chopstick in the passage is limited.

Preferably, the slide block is used to control the resilient member in a curved state or in a restoring state.

Preferably, the chopstick retaining device further comprises a counterweight block on a rear edge of one end surface thereof. When the chopstick retaining device with the chopstick is placed on a table, the counterweight block has a certain weight to assure that the two ends of the chopstick are suspended, not in contact with the table, providing a hygienic effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view to show movement of the slide block of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another exploded view to show movement of the slide block of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view to show that the present invention is connected with chopsticks;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view to show that the present invention is connected with chopsticks and the slide block is moved;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the present invention when in use; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view to show that the present invention is provided with a counterweight block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a chopstick retaining device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a casing 2 and a resilient member 3 disposed in the casing 2.

The casing 2 is composed of a first casing 21 and a second casing 22. The first casing 21 comprises a plurality of locking members 211, 212, 213 on a lower end surface thereof. The second casing 22 comprises a plurality of engaging members 221, 222, 223 corresponding to the locking members 211, 212, 213. By the locking members 211, 212, 213 to engage with the engaging members 221, 222, 223, the first casing 21 and the second casing 22 are connected together. The second housing 22 has an inner side provided with a first connection portion 224 and a second connection portion 225. The first connection portion 224 is located between the two second engaging members 221 and 222. The second connection portion 225 is located between the two engaging members 222 and 223. The inner side of the second casing 22 is provided with at least one pillar 226.

The resilient member 3 is made of a resilient material, which can restore its original shape. The resilient member 3 has a through hole 31 for connection of the pillar 226. The resilient member 3 is in an X-like shape. The resilient member 3 comprises two symmetrical first extension portions 32 which are disposed at one side thereof, a second extension portion 33 and a third extension portion 34 which are disposed at an opposing side thereof. The second extension portion 33 has a length shorter than that of the third extension portion 34. The third extension portion 34 is curved and has elasticity, providing a better restoring function.

The space among the two first extension portions 32, the engaging portion 222 and the first connection portion 224 is defined as a first passage 51. The space among the second extension portion 33, the third extension portion 34, the engaging portion 223 and the second connection portion 225 is defined as a second passage 52. The width of the second passage 52 is larger than that of the first passage 51.

The inner side of the second casing 22 has a slide slot 227 in a Z-like shape. The slide slot 227 is provided with a slide block 4. The slide block 4 can be slid within the slide slot 227, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

Two chopsticks 61, 62 are inserted through the first passage 51 and the second passage 52. Referring to FIG. 6, the chopstick 61 located in the first passage 51 is confined by the two first extension portions 32, the engaging portion 222 and the first connection portion 224. The chopstick 61 is positioned in the first passage 51. The chopstick 62 located in the second passage 52 is confined by the second extension portion 33, the third extension portion 34, the engaging portion 223 and the second connection portion 225. The chopstick 62 is positioned in the second passage 52. Particularly, the third extension portion 34 has a curved design and the width of the second passage 52 is larger. When the third extension portion 34 is in contact with the chopstick 62, the third extension portion 34 provides an elastic force to push the chopstick 62 outward.

The two chopsticks 61, 62 are connected in the chopstick retaining device 1, so they can be held with ease. The user just applies a force with his/her fingers to slightly push the front end of the chopstick 62 inward, the front end of the chopstick 62 will be pivoted toward the other chopstick 61 for clipping food. After the food is placed in the bowl or in the mouth, the user releases the chopstick 62 which is biased by the third extension portion 34 to its original position. It is very convenient to use the chopsticks.

The chopstick retaining device 1 of the present invention has a function to hold the chopsticks. The slide block 4 in the slide slot 227 is moved to the position close to the third extension portion 34, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, such that the chopstick 62 is held inward. By protrusions 214, 228 of the first casing 21 and the second casing 22, the present invention can be used as a chopstick holder.

As shown in FIG. 8, the chopstick retaining device 1 of the present invention further comprises a counterweight block 7. The counterweight block 7 can be disposed on an outer edge of the casing 2 or inside the casing 2. The counterweight block 7 can be integrally formed with the casing 2 or connected to the casing 2. When the chopstick retaining device 1 with the chopstick 62 is placed on a table, the counterweight block 7 has a certain weight to assure that the two ends of the chopstick are suspended, not in contact with the table, providing a hygienic effect.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A chopstick retaining device, comprising a casing and a resilient member disposed in the casing, two sides of the resilient member relative to the casing forming a first passage and a second passage to receive two chopsticks.
 2. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first passage is used to position one of the two chopsticks and the second passage is used to position the other chopstick which is pivoted by the resilient member.
 3. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing is composed of a first casing and a second casing; the first casing comprises a plurality of locking members on a lower end surface thereof; the second casing comprises a plurality of engaging members corresponding to the locking members; the locking members are engaged with the engaging members to connect the first casing with the second casing.
 4. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second housing has an inner side provided with a first connection portion and a second connection portion.
 5. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner side of the second casing is provided with at least one pillar; and the resilient member has a through hole for connection of the pillar.
 6. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient member is in an X-like shape and comprises two symmetrical first extension portions which are disposed at one side thereof, a second extension portion and a third extension portion which are disposed at an opposing side thereof; the second extension portion has a length shorter than that of the third extension portion and the third extension portion is curved and has elasticity.
 7. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member is made of a resilient material.
 8. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner side of the second casing has a slide slot in a Z-like shape, and the slide slot is provided with a slide block.
 9. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein outer sides of the first casing and the second casing are provided with protrusions.
 10. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the slide block is used to control the resilient member in a curved state or in a restoring state.
 11. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a counterweight block, wherein the counterweight block is disposed on an outer edge of the casing or inside the casing.
 12. The chopstick retaining device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the counterweight block is integrally formed with the casing or connected to the casing. 